Persons involved:
Paul Magdon (PI)
Svenja Dobelmann (Research assistant)
Research outline:
Forests are increasingly impacted by climate anomalies, requiring new approaches to management and monitoring at relevant scales.
In Subproject 07 we focus on developing a remote sensing indicator framework to assess key forest resilience factors: tree species composition, forest structure, and vitality.
Our research will address key questions such as:
- How can remote sensing map essential resilience indicators?
- How can on-site structural measurements be scaled up to regional levels?
- Can satellite time-series data enhance resilience assessments?
In collaboration with Subproject 05, we will collect 3D point cloud data using terrestrial laser scanning (TLS) and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at the plot level.
Individual trees will be segmented, and key attributes—such as species, diameter at breast height, height, and other relevant traits—will be measured in situ.
These plots will serve as training data for a machine learning model that predicts structural indices at the landscape level using airborne laser scanning (ALS) data.
To extend our analysis across Lower Saxony, we will establish a datacube integrating satellite image time-series data from Landsat and Sentinel missions.
From this, we will generate temporal-area maps depicting dominant tree species, forest structure, and vitality.
These maps will also help explore the potential of using temporal variations to assess forest resilience over time.
The outcome: a conceptual framework for long-term forest monitoring, designed to support adaptive management strategies in response to climate challenges.
Contact
Prof. Dr. Paul Magdon
HAWK- Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen
Fakultät für Ressourcenmanagment
Buesgenweg 1a
37077 Göttingen
Telefon: 0551/5032-189
Email: paul.pagdon@hawk.de